Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
06:37
Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds
Published on: November 13, 2017
Kriging water levels with a regional-linear and point-logarithmic drift
Matthew J Tonkin1, Steven P Larson
1S.S. Papadopulos and Associates Inc., Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Matt@SSPA.com
Ground Water
|March 28, 2002
Summary
This study enhances groundwater level mapping by using a combined drift model in kriging. This method accurately represents drawdown effects near pumping wells for better hydrogeologic interpretations.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology
- Geostatistics
Background:
- Kriging is a standard method for creating hydrogeologic datasets.
- Linear drift models in kriging often show significant deviations near pumping wells due to drawdown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the accuracy of groundwater level contouring near pumping wells.
- To develop a kriging method that better reflects the physical processes of groundwater flow.
Main Methods:
- Applied a combined regional-linear and point-logarithmic drift model for kriging groundwater levels.
- Utilized an approximation of the Theis equation to model drawdown effects.
Main Results:
- The new drift model effectively accounts for drawdown, improving the representation of the potentiometric surface.
- Generated more realistic groundwater level maps with improved interpretation of hydrogeologic features.
- Achieved a better estimation of the regional hydraulic gradient.
Conclusions:
- The combined drift kriging approach offers a more physically representative method for mapping groundwater levels.
- This technique enhances the interpretation of hydrogeologic data and supports flow-conserved grid generation for particle tracking.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Damped Oscillations
In the real world, oscillations seldom follow true simple harmonic motion. A system that continues its motion indefinitely without losing its amplitude is termed undamped. However, friction of some sort usually dampens the motion, so it fades away or needs more force to continue. For example, a guitar string stops oscillating a few seconds after being plucked. Similarly, one must continually push a swing to keep a child swinging on a playground.
Although friction and other non-conservative...
Although friction and other non-conservative...
01:19Design Example: Maintaining Level of an Embankment
Constructing a roadway embankment over uneven terrain requires precise leveling to ensure stability and proper drainage. Surveyors use a leveling instrument and staff to calculate ground elevations and determine the required fill material at each point along the embankment alignment.The process begins by positioning a leveling instrument near a benchmark with a known elevation. A backsight reading establishes the instrument height, which serves as a reference for subsequent measurements. A...
01:21Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway
Scaled hydraulic models of dam spillways provide a practical way to replicate and study the intricate flow dynamics of these structures. Often built to a 1:15 ratio, these models allow for observing critical water behavior, such as velocity distribution, flow patterns, and energy dissipation.
01:17Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
01:25Indefinite Integrals
The water inflow rate into a storage tank is not constant but increases over time. Initially, the pump delivers water at a rate of 5 L/min. However, the inflow rate increases by 2 L/min for each additional minute due to rising pressure or system adjustments. This scenario can be described mathematically by a linear function:It is necessary to integrate the inflow rate function to measure the total volume of water added to the tank over time. The total water volume V(t) is obtained by performing...
01:21Partial Differential Equations
A stone dropped into a still pond generates waves that propagate outward in circular patterns, creating a dynamic surface whose elevation depends on both position and time. At any given location, the water level oscillates as the wave passes, while at any fixed moment, the surface exhibits smooth, curved structures extending across space. This dual dependence requires a mathematical description that accounts for variation in multiple variables simultaneously.At a fixed point on the water...